Brussels, 30/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Single Sky will be the topic of discussion of a high-level conference organised by the Italian Presidency in Rome on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 November. An industrial panel and an institutional panel will discuss the Single Sky, and more specifically the proposed review of the current framework, the Single Sky 2+ package. Incoming European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc will open the conference, her “maiden flight” on air issues. A number of European transport ministers are also expected to attend.
The Presidency wants to get the views of stakeholders - air controllers (CANSO), Easyjet, Paris Airports - on the benefits of the Single European Sky for their sectors and the impediments to its implementation, and on what more could be done to finally establish the Single Sky.
The institutional speakers, to include Eurocontrol and the European Aviation Safety Agency, will give their views on the division of roles among the various air traffic management-related bodies and on how the military and the social partners can be involved in implementing the Single European Sky. The Presidency will also ask them what can be done to ensure benefits for states neighbouring the EU, too.
The Presidency is looking to press forward on the Single Sky 2+ package but no agreement will be possible in the Transport Council until such time as the contentious issue of Gibraltar Airport has been resolved between Spain and the United Kingdom. (MD)